‘Ethical dilemma’: Dr Jillian Spencer on children hospital’s gender affirmation model

Senior psychiatrist Dr Jillian Spencer has spoken out about Queensland Children’s Hospital’s gender affirmation model after a review of the gender clinic was launched a few days ago. The psychiatrist was stood down from clinical duties a few months ago following a complaint about her treatment of children with gender dysphoria. Dr Spencer was then formally suspended by the hospital for allegedly breaching the code of conduct over 20 times by speaking publicly about concerns regarding the harm to children from the affirmation model. “I’ve heard it loud and clear from the hospital that they don’t want me speaking out about my concerns, but it’s a real ethical dilemma because I know there aren’t many psychiatrists willing to speak out,” she told Sky News host Caleb Bond. “My obligation to my employer to keep the harm to children secret clashes with my obligation and responsibility as a psychiatrist to speak out when the care being delivered to children isn’t safe and isn’t evidence-based.”